AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY BEVERAGE CONTAINER REDEMPTION RATES IN THE STATE AND REDUCING A FEE ON INFUSED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS.

HB 7271 establishes a working group to study beverage container redemption rates across the state, examining factors like regional redemption patterns, the impact of a 10-cent refund on consumption, and whether redemption exceeds container sales. The group, including state agencies, legislators, and industry representatives, must submit a report by January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill reduces a fee on cannabis-infused beverage containers from $1 to $0.05 for retailers, resulting in an annual $250,000 revenue loss to a consumer protection fund. This affects cannabis retailers and state agencies managing the fund.